Return Of Buttons

FIRST we saw the original "supers" reclaiming their place in fashion (Elle at Louis Vuitton, Claudia for Chanel, Christy for Bally), and now another Eighties phenomenon is making a comeback - the classic button.

SHOP BUTTON PIECES HERE

Buttons have been in hibernation for years; tucked neatly beneath plackets, they have been working hard behind the scenes while the industrial zip has basked in the spotlight. However, this season sees the traditional button regain the limelight. Buttons were all over the autumn/winter 2010 catwalks: military-esque at Burberry, brass at Balmain, double-breasted at Oscar de la Renta, and oversized at Louis Vuitton.

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Fancy a bit of button in your life? Christian Dior is doing trousers with buttoned pockets, while on the high street, Wallis has a bottle-green leather skirt with button detailing. For a subtle approach to buttoning up, look to Marc Jacobs: his Marc by Marc Jacobs line features jackets with shiny buttons and his main line includes coats with fabric co-ordinated buttons.

This season, be loud and proud with brass buttons against navy or red, or keep it simple with a single oversize button strategically placed beneath a princess collar. Discreet buttons can be just as powerful as obvious ones (once spotted, they are a focal point), and subtle is best for DIY jobs - pop to Liberty's haberdashery your choice of buttons, sew them on to the pockets of last season's Houlihans, and voila.